Toy



G. O. BENSON I Aug. 29, 1933.

TOY

Filed June 27, 1931 Patented Aug. 29, 1933 UNITED STATES TOY George 0. Benson, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to Talarico Bros, Niagara Falls, N. Y.

Application June 27, 1931. Serial No. 547,218

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an aeroplane toy and has for its object the provision of a new and improved toy of the character hereinafter described.

The present state of development of aviation and the outstanding accomplishments of aviators all over the world has established a keen interest in the younger generation in the art and science of flying. This interest on the part of the younger generation has not been satisfied by the toys available heretofore and there has arisen, therefore, a demand for a toy of the nature illustrated by the attached drawing and described by the following disclosure.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one modification in which my invention takes the form of a hangar and landing field with a plane-impeller mounted on the roof of the hangar;

Figure 2 shows a plane, in perspective, forming a part of my invention;

Figure 3 is a plan View, from above, of one form of plane-impeller;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane "IV-IV of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is an end View of the impeller shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The modification shown in Figure 1 comprises a landing field 1 upon which is located a hangar e0 2, with a plane-impeller 3 situated on the roof of the hangar 2. The field and hangar may be made or" any suitable material, such as wood, wall-board or sheet metal, but, because of ease of working and low cost, I prefer to use sheet metal. The various parts, when made of sheet metal, may be joined by soldering, welding, or riveting, although I prefer to use rivets.

The plane 4, illustrated in Figure 2, comprises a body portion 5 of light weight material such as balsa wood, a wing portion 6 of light weight wood or sheet material such as celluloid, a pin 7 for engagement with the plane-impeller, and an elevator 8 of light weight material such as thin balsa wood or celluloid, and a rudder 9 of celluloid or other light weight material such as balsa wood.

The particular modification of the plane-impeller shown in Figures 3 and 4 comprises a coil spring 10 held by the pin 11, which is engaged 00 between the arms 12. One end 13 of the coil spring 10 is positioned against the underside of the plane trough 14, the other end being in the form of a loop 15, and moveable.

The slot 16 of the plane impeller 3 is notched at 17, as shown in Figure 3, to provide a restraint toy.

for the moveable end 13 of the coil spring 10 when the spring is tensioned and in a position to receive the in '7 of the plane l.

One form of releasing device for transferring the potential energy from the tensioned spring 10 to the plane 4 comprises a simple lever 18 pivoted at 19 and having one end 20 positioned to engage the loop 15 when the spring 10 is tensioned. Movement of the end 21 causes the opposite end 20 to urge the loop 15 away from the notch 17 and thereby frees the spring to release its potential energy and return to its normal position. Other forms of release mechanism, as well as other types of energy imparting devices besides the release and coil springv arrangement 7 shown and described, may be used without departing from the scope of my invention.

The foregoing description will enable those skilled in the art to make the toy illustrated, and is sufficient to suggest other modifications and 5 adaptations within the scope of my invention. Among the contemplated modifications to which my invention is adaptable is a toy boat designed to function as an aeroplane carrier. Another modification within the scope of my invention is in connection with the location of the planeimpeller with respect to the other parts of the The location of the plane-impeller on the roof of the hangar, as shown in Figure. 1, is a matter of convenience and is not intended to be a limitation to the present invention, since it can be located anywhere on the landing field or within the hangar.

The mode of operation of a toy made in accordance with my invention is not complicated Q and is learned readily by children. The toy is operated as described in the following paragraphs.

The energizing unit, characterized in this disclosure as a spring actuated catapult, is operated upon to build up its potential energy and is left in this position While the plane is being positioned to receive the stored-up energy from it. The pin 7 of the plane shown in Figure 4 is positioned to engage with the loop 15 of the energizing unit.

When this has been done the toy is ready for action, Releasing the loop 15 from its restraint causes it to move rapidly and to transfer energy to the plane, whereby the plane rises and glides through the air for many feet.

Games may be played and contests of a number of kinds may be carried on by the use of a toy made in accordance with my invention. More than one plane may be provided and used in the operation of a toy made in accordance with my invention, Similarly, more than one impeller may be used, either in connection with a common release or with separate releases, so that more than one plane may be released at one time. In using two or more impellers, they may be arranged to release the planes either side by side or one above another.

Having described my invention in terms designed to illustrate it but not to limit it, what I claim is:

l. A toy catapult comprising a trough-like base member having a coil spring mounted on its un derside, one end of said spring being in a fixed position and the opposite end being moveable and projecting through a slot in said base member, a notch adjacent said slot to hold the moveable end of said spring and a pivoted arm positioned to urge the moveable end of the spring from engagement with the notch.

2. A toy catapult comprising a trough-like base member having a torsional spring mounted on its underside, one end of said spring being in a fixed position and the opposite end being moveable and projecting through a slot in said base member, a notch adjacent said slot to hold the moveable end of said spring and a pivoted arm positioned to urge the moveable end of the spring from engagement with the notch.

3. A toy comprising a winged structure and a catapult for projecting said winged structure comprising atrough-like base member having a torsional spring mounted on its underside, one end of said spring being in a fixed position and the opposite end being moveable and projecting through a slot in said base member, a notch adjacent said slot to ho1d the moveable end of said spring and a pivoted arm positioned to urge the movcable end of said spring from engagement with the notch. v

' GEORGE O. BENSON. 

